Al Jalila Foundation Backs Updated UAE Children’s Reference Growth Charts Publication

The Significance of UAE-Specific Growth Charts in Modern Pediatrics

In the rapidly evolving landscape of child health in the United Arab Emirates, the recent publication of updated reference growth charts marks a pivotal advancement. Supported by the Al Jalila Foundation, these charts provide healthcare professionals and parents with precise tools tailored to the unique growth patterns of UAE national children aged 0 to 18 years. Developed through the UAE Multi-Centre Growth Study 2 (UAEMCGS 2), the charts reflect contemporary demographic shifts, nutritional improvements, and lifestyle changes that have occurred since the original 1992 study.

Growth charts are essential visual representations of how children should grow under normal conditions. They plot metrics like height, weight, body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), and head circumference (HC) against age and sex-specific percentiles. Percentiles indicate the percentage of children at a given age who are smaller or larger; for instance, the 50th percentile represents the median value. These tools help identify deviations signaling potential health issues such as stunting from malnutrition or obesity from excessive calorie intake.

While global standards from the World Health Organization (WHO) serve as prescriptive ideals based on optimally nourished children worldwide, local charts like those from UAEMCGS 2 offer descriptive references grounded in national data. This distinction is crucial in diverse populations like the UAE, where genetic, dietary, and environmental factors influence growth differently from international averages.

Background: From 1992 UAE Charts to UAEMCGS 2

The first national growth charts for UAE children emerged from the inaugural UAEMCGS in the early 1990s, capturing data from over 6,000 participants across the seven emirates. Those charts highlighted average growth patterns amid a transitioning society—from traditional diets to Western influences fueled by economic boom.

Over three decades, UAE has witnessed profound changes: GDP per capita surged, expatriate population ballooned to nearly 90%, and childhood nutrition programs expanded. Yet, parallel rises in obesity—17.3% among 5-17-year-olds per 2020 Ministry of Health data—necessitated an update. Enter UAEMCGS 2, launched in 2017, to recalibrate standards reflecting today's UAE nationals.

The Al Jalila Foundation, philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, provided critical funding via grant AJF201712. This support underscores their commitment to evidence-based pediatric advancements, aligning with Dubai Health's mission to pioneer healthcare innovations.

Methodology: Rigorous Data Collection Across the Emirates

UAEMCGS 2 employed a multistage stratified random cluster sampling method to ensure representativeness. Researchers targeted hospitals, vaccination centers, nurseries, kindergartens, and schools in all seven emirates, measuring 20,998 UAE national children from 2017 to 2020.

To achieve statistical power, at least 200 children per age-sex group (monthly for 0-36 months, annually thereafter) were included. Measurements followed standardized protocols: recumbent length for under-2s using infant boards, standing height via stadiometers, weight on calibrated scales, and HC with non-stretch paper tapes. Three readings per metric minimized errors; outliers beyond three standard deviations were excluded.

LMS parameters (Lambda for skewness, Mu for median, Sigma for coefficient of variation) modeled charts using LMSchartmaker software and cubic splines with seven knots for smoothing. This advanced LMS method, recommended by WHO, allows z-score calculations for precise assessments.

• Sampling Proportionality: Adjusted for population density per emirate.
• Inclusion Criteria: UAE nationals, no acute illness or chronic conditions affecting growth.
• Ethical Oversight: Approved by UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, with parental consent.

Key Findings: Taller, Heavier UAE Children Today

The charts reveal UAE children are significantly taller and heavier than their 1992 counterparts. For example, at age 5, boys' median height increased from 109.5 cm to 112.3 cm, and weight from 18.2 kg to 20.1 kg. Girls showed similar gains, with 10-year-olds averaging 138.7 cm (up 3.2 cm) and 31.4 kg (up 4.1 kg).

Compared to WHO standards, UAE medians exceed them post-infancy, particularly in adolescence—UAE 18-year-old boys reach 174.2 cm versus WHO's 171.5 cm. This secular trend signals nutritional progress but flags obesity risks, as BMI medians surpass WHO thresholds after age 4.

Head circumference charts align closely with CDC/WHO early on but diverge slightly later, aiding early neurodevelopment screening.

BMI and Head Circumference: Complementary Insights

Companion charts for BMI and HC, published in Scientific Reports 2025, analyze the same cohort. Obesity prevalence ranges 0-6.6% across ages, overweight 8.7-16.5%. Mean BMI exceeds 1992 values significantly (p<0.05), mirroring global trends but accelerated by UAE's affluence.

HC grows rapidly in infancy, stabilizing post-4 years, vital for detecting microcephaly or hydrocephalus. These metrics enable holistic monitoring beyond height/weight.Learn more about BMI/HC charts

Why Local Charts Trump Global Standards in the UAE Context

WHO charts prescribe optimal growth; local ones describe reality. In UAE, using WHO might overdiagnose overweight (up to 20% false positives post-5 years), leading to unnecessary interventions. UAEMCGS 2 charts adjust for Arab genetics, high dairy/meat diets, and urban lifestyles.

Studies show population-specific references improve accuracy in screening; for UAE's 80% obesity-attributable disease burden in adults, early detection via tailored tools is preventive gold.

Addressing Childhood Obesity: UAE's Growing Challenge

UAE child obesity triples since 1990s, hitting 17% (5-17 years). Drivers: sedentary habits (screen time >3hrs/day), fast food proliferation, genetic predispositions. Charts enable precise tracking; 85th percentile flags overweight, 95th obesity.

• National programs like Dubai Healthy Child Initiative promote balanced diets.
• Schools integrate nutrition education; Al Jalila's Child Fund aids 3,000 kids yearly.
• Policy shifts: sugar tax, front-of-pack labeling.

Early intervention—via percentile monitoring—can avert diabetes, hypertension in adulthood, saving billions in healthcare.

UAE University's Pivotal Role in Pediatric Research

Led by Prof. Yousef Abdulrazzaq at UAEU's College of Medicine & Health Sciences, UAEMCGS 2 exemplifies academic excellence. Collaborators from Dubai Health, Zayed University, and emirate health authorities pooled expertise.

UAEU's research ecosystem, bolstered by federal funding, drives such nationally impactful studies, positioning UAE as Gulf health innovation hub.Access the full height/weight study

Al Jalila Foundation: Catalyst for Health Research

Established 2013, Al Jalila—Dubai Health's arm—awarded 124 grants, funding breakthroughs from genomics to pediatrics. Their UAEMCGS 2 support exemplifies strategic investment yielding public good: charts now guide 1.2 million UAE kids' checkups.

Via Child Fund (AED50M annually), they treat 3,000 children, blending philanthropy with science.

Practical Applications: How Charts Transform Care

1. Well-Child Visits: Plot measurements; z-scores >2/+2 signal action.
2. School Screenings: Mass percentile assessments flag at-risk groups.
3. Policy Formulation: Data informs nutrition guidelines.
4. Parental Guidance: Apps integrate charts for home tracking.

Future Outlook: Sustaining Healthy Growth Trajectories

As UAE Vision 2031 eyes health leadership, integrating UAEMCGS 2 into electronic health records nationwide is next. Longitudinal follow-ups, expat-inclusive charts, AI predictive analytics loom.

Stakeholders—from MoHAP to parents—must prioritize: balanced diets, active play, regular monitoring. Al Jalila's model inspires scaling research investments, ensuring UAE children thrive.

This publication not only updates standards but empowers a healthier generation, blending tradition with tomorrow's science.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash